The upload_max_filesize is a crucial PHP configuration setting that determines the maximum file size users can upload to your website through forms. This limit is essential for managing server resources and ensuring smooth website performance.

When this value is set too low, users will encounter errors when trying to upload legitimate files. The error typically appears as: "The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive". This setting works in conjunction with post_max_size (which controls total POST data size) - both must be properly configured for uploads to work correctly.

To check your current limit:

• Create a PHP file with:
• Search for "upload_max_filesize" in the output
• The value will appear as something like: 64M (64 megabytes)

Common configuration methods include:

• .htaccess file: php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
• php.ini file: upload_max_filesize = 64M
• Runtime configuration: ini_set('upload_max_filesize', '64M');

Remember that increasing this value requires sufficient server resources. Always set reasonable limits based on your actual needs and server capacity. For shared hosting, check your provider's policies as they may restrict maximum values. Important: After changing this setting, you must restart your web server for changes to take effect.